Updated Noon MDT August 16, 2013
Valid through noon MDT Monday, August 19, 2013
Smoke Outlook
Idaho DEQ has issued a Stage 1 Forecast and
Caution for Camas, Blaine, Elmore, Boise, Custer, and Lemhi Counties due to
wildfire smoke. These are effective
through Monday, August 19 at which time they will be re-evaluated.
The Ketchum/Hailey area is currently
experiencing Hazardous air quality due to smoke from the Beaver Creek
fire. Significant smoke impacts are
expected to continue in the Ketchum/Hailey area through Monday morning. Other areas in the central Idaho Mountains
are experiencing air quality in the moderate to unhealthy for sensitive
groups. Air
quality is forecasted to be in the Very Unhealthy with periods in the Hazardous
for Ketchum/Hailey and moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups for other
areas in the central Idaho mountains.
Air quality has improved to the Moderate
category in the southeast Boise/Mountain Home area. Air quality is expected to improve this
afternoon. However, the smoke is
expected to move back into the Mountain Home area during the night. Tomorrow, air quality in the southeast Boise/Mountain
Home area is expected to be in the moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups
category. DEQ is now issuing an air
quality forecast for Mountain Home on its website. Visit www.deq.idaho.gov/daily-air-quality-reports-forecasts. (Select
Mountain Home from the dropdown menu.) Air quality is forecasted to be in
the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in Boise and Unhealthy in Mountain Home.
Sensitive groups such as people with heart
and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women
should avoid all outdoor activities until air quality improves. Everyone else
should minimize outdoor activities. When air quality is in the
hazardous category (visibility of less than 1 mile) everyone should stay
indoors and avoid exertion.
Light west-southwest winds will continue to transport smoke from
the fires in Elmore County and near Fairfield towards the central Idaho
mountains area, including areas in and around Stanley and Ketchum. Southeast Treasure Valley and Mountain Home
areas are expected to have moderate smoke impacts during the morning hours due
to smoke from the Elk Complex fires throughout the weekend. The smoke is expected to partially dissipate
in the afternoon each day. However, the smoke will drain back into the areas during
the nighttime and morning hours. Smoke
from the fires in northern California is expected to reach Idaho on
Sunday. Light smoke impacts are
expected to occur in most areas of the state on Sunday.
5 emergency monitors have been installed in Idaho to help monitor
smoke impacts from wildfires:
- DEQ has installed a monitor in Mountain Home and Fairfield. The information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/fleet.aspx
o
Fairfield – #Idaho1000
o
Mountain Home - #Idaho1002
- The USFS installed monitors in Lowman, Atlanta, and Challis. The information can be found at http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/smoke.pl
o
Lowman monitor is Smoke#19
o
Atlanta monitor is Smoke#13
o
Challis monitor is Smoke#21
o
Users should be aware that the Forest Service
site reports the data in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). To convert
from UTS to Mountain Daylight Time, subtract 6 hours.
Visit the Idaho Smoke
Information Blog at: www.idsmoke.blogspot.com
Smoke forecasts are dependent
on predicted fire growth and weather. If
conditions change unexpectedly, impacts could occur. When visibility starts to go below 5 miles,
sensitive groups should minimize outdoor activities. Everyone else should minimize prolonged or
physical activity outdoors. Refer to the
Smoke and Health Tab on the Idaho Smoke Information
Blog for additional health
information.
Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s
safe to be outside. Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may
still be good.
AQI
Category
|
Visibility
(miles)
|
Good
|
11+
|
Moderate
|
6-10
|
Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups
|
3-5
|
Unhealthy
|
1½ -2¾
|
Very Unhealthy
|
1-1¼
|
Hazardous
|
Less than 1
|
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